LiftSets / Exercises / Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift
Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift
Works the hamstrings. Helped by the glutes and lower back.


Bright blue is the target muscle. Darker blue is helping. The app shows this as a moving demo.
Muscles worked
hamstringsgluteslower back
How many reps
| Goal | Reps per set |
|---|---|
| Strength | 3-6 |
| Muscle size | 6-10 |
| Endurance | 12-20+ |
Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.
| Kit | Machine |
|---|---|
| Level | Beginner |
What to think about
- Push the hips back, don't bend forward.
- Flat back all the way, bells stay close to the legs.
- Stop where the hamstrings load, not where the floor is.
How to do it
- To begin, set the bar on the smith machine to a height that is around the middle of your thighs. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, grasp the bar using a pronated (palms forward) grip that is shoulder width apart. You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight.
- Lift the bar up by fully extending your arms while keeping your back straight. Stand with your torso straight and your legs spaced using a shoulder width or narrower stance. The knees should be slightly bent. This is your starting position.
- Keeping the knees stationary, lower the barbell to over the top of your feet by bending at the waist while keeping your back straight. Keep moving forward as if you were going to pick something from the floor until you feel a stretch on the hamstrings. Exhale as you perform this movement.
- Start bringing your torso up straight again as soon as you feel the hamstrings stretch by extending your hips and waist until you are back at the starting position. Inhale as you perform this movement.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Other exercises for the hamstrings
- Floor Glute-Ham Raise
- Good Morning
- Good Morning off Pins
- Hanging Bar Good Morning
- Kettlebell One-Legged Deadlift
- Lying Leg Curls
- Natural Glute Ham Raise
- One-Arm Kettlebell Swings
Track it in LiftSets
Log Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift with last time's numbers in front of you, a rest timer on your lock screen and a graph of your progress.
Coming soon to the App Store